Author: JodiLea

I don't pretend to be who/what I'm not. I will be honest here unless I publish under the category "This could be news," which is 99% fiction and a wee bit sarcastic. ;-) I want readers who come here to have as much fun as I do. Not all subjects can be fun, but most can be funny if I do my job right ;-) My inner child is reflected in my logo and will change at a moment's notice.

March is Mental Health Awareness Month

~ JodiLea
I did not write this piece, so this is a public service announcement. Because I belong to the Type 1 Diabetes Exchange Registry, I came across this short but informative article. I found it interesting, and you may also, even if you are not a T1D.

For people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D), self-management requires an extraordinary amount of decision-making every day. In fact, research suggests this translates to about 180 more health-related decisions than someone living without diabetes.   This level of stress can affect a person’s emotional well-being, leading to feelings of frustration, burnout, and diabetes distress. And it’s why your healthcare provider may regularly use an assessment tool to monitor your mental health.   According to our Registry data, participants with T1D also self-reported the following diagnoses. While these numbers are only representative of our participants, they are telling. Anxiety (24.9%), Depression (24.2%), Eating disorders (3.2%), Diabetes distress (2.4%), PTSD (0.3%). That said, on average, research suggests people with T1D are 2 to 3 times more likely to have depression than someone without T1D. However, only 25-50% of these individuals are diagnosed and treated. That’s why it’s essential to be honest about your feelings and advocate for yourself or a loved one. While caring for your physical health is vital, your mental health is equally important.   The T1D Exchange Registry is dedicated to improving the lives of those living with T1D. One way we do this is by supporting mental health research in T1D. A current study, Mental Health Support Experiences and T1D, aims to better understand participants’ experiences when talking with diabetes care providers about their mental health and well-being.
For people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D), self-management requires an extraordinary amount of decision-making every day. In fact, research suggests this translates to about 180 more health-related decisions than someone living without diabetes.   This level of stress can affect a person’s emotional well-being, leading to feelings of frustration, burnout, and diabetes distress. And it’s why your healthcare provider may regularly use an assessment tool to monitor your mental health.   According to our Registry data, participants with T1D also self-reported the following diagnoses. While these numbers are only representative of our participants, they are telling. Anxiety (24.9%), Depression (24.2%), Eating disorders (3.2%), Diabetes distress (2.4%), PTSD (0.3%). That said, on average, research suggests people with T1D are 2 to 3 times more likely to have depression than someone without T1D. But only 25-50% of these individuals are diagnosed and treated. That’s why it’s so important to be honest about your feelings and advocate for yourself or a loved one. While caring for your physical health is essential, your mental health is equally as important.   The T1D Exchange Registry is dedicated to improving the lives of those living with T1D. One way we do this is by supporting mental health research in T1D. A current study, Mental Health Support Experiences and T1D, aims to better understand participants’ experiences when talking with diabetes care providers about their mental health and well-being.

Have You Noticed?

~ JodiLea

Companies (small and large) no longer seem to have quality control departments. If they do have such a department, they need to fire those people because they are not doing their job.

An example is the canned green chilies I buy. When I opened the can and dumped them into my recipe, it was that easy. The chiles in the can were green and firm, and it was rare to have to pick out skins or seeds. Now, I open a can and separate chilies from pieces of charred peel and slimy strings full of seeds. I honestly think they toss the whole chili into a chopper and can the mess that results. Yuk.

You can’t trust your grocery store anymore, either. Sometimes, the bread on the shelves is moldy, and we must check the expiration dates on everything. Maybe that’s because I live in a small town, and the bigger cities rotate the stock better. All I know is that my favorite ice cream, Malted Moo Milk, is used for a rousing game of after-hours soccer. I know this because only the malted moo cartons have crushed in sides and popped lids.

Quality control for shipping medical supplies has also gone downhill. What used to be packaged securely and without damage is now haphazardly tossed in a box, along with crumpled-up paper (not surrounding items), and mailed out to the consumer. The package arrives dirty and rumpled like it sat in the bottom of the mail truck for several days—not only occasionally but every time. Every Time. Think about the deliveries you receive. I can’t be the only one.

I would love to hear what things you have to put up with these days.

Please take the time to drop me a line. I can use a good giggle. It’s already been a tough year…

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨